Possible job in D.C.-good family suburbs? (Arlington, Burke: rentals, condos)

[troyc]

Hi,

My wife may take a job in D.C. We are currently in Asheville NC, but really from the Cocoa Beach (Kennedy Space Center) area of Florida.

We are inquiring on thoughts of good suburbs, either in VA to raise a child. Nightlife isn't important at all. But, quality family friendly (read parks, bike paths etc. possibly a small yard- a farmers market wouldn't be bad either) is.

We would just rent at first. Our range is at around $2000 or so a month. Would like a 3/2..a garage would be nice too

Thanks!

[michgc]

Most suburbs in NoVA are "family-friendly." Most have parks and trails and decent schools. The hard part is finding an affordable place to live that is commutable to work in DC. If you're willing to look at older/smaller properties, you open yourself up to looking closer in versus farther out. Once you have a job location narrowed down, let us know, and we can probably make suggestions.

[HokieFan]

Adding to the suggestions above - how long is she willing to commute?

Just did a quick search in Fairfax County using realtor.com. Most results were condos, some 3/2 but a lot are 2/2, a few townhomes and detached homes popped up but I'm not sure of the areas (safe, family friendly, etc.), some of the condos have garages.

[OrangeFish]

Also, where is she commuting to in DC? A commute to Union Station is much easier by train (VRE) than a commute to Georgetown (for example).

[JfromReston]

Originally Posted by troyc

Hi,

We would just rent at first. Our range is at around $2000 or so a month. Would like a 3/2..a garage would be nice too

Thanks!

In Reston you could get a 3/2 townhouse but no garage for around $2000. The commute to DC (Metro Center area via Fairfax Connector Bus and Metro) would be about an hour.

10963 HARPERS SQUARE CT, RESTON, VA 20191 | Listing Information | HomesDatabase.com
11500 HEARTHSTONE CT, RESTON, VA 20191 | Listing Information | HomesDatabase.com

[troyc]

The position would be in the Pentagon.

While with NASA our commute was around an hour on average.

[JfromReston]

Fairfax Connector has a special express bus from Reston to the Pentagon.
Route 595: Pentagon Express*- Fairfax County, Virginia

[snowdenscold]

Pentagon has lots of public transit options, which is the good news.

For the metro, Blue line will be more direct - you'd probably want to look at Burke and West Springfield. Orange line is longer and involves going all through Arlington and then transferring at Rosslyn, but there are some nice areas near the Vienna and Falls Church stops.

VRE's too much of a pain to transfer at Crystal City, IMO, since the train stop and metro stop aren't next to each other.

In addition to Reston, I believe there are quite a few bus lines throughout the county that go to the Pentagon. Check out all the Fairfax Connector options.

Loudoun County connector buses will also go straight to the Pentagon from a variety of places, including Dulles North.

[hilsmom]

I remember when I lived in Shirlington and took busses to the Pentagon metro station - There are a TON of busses that will take you there. Loudoun and Prince William Counties had busses in addition to the Fairfax Connectors already mentionned. There were also Metro Busses (run by WMATA, not the counties). In addition, she could explore slugging, which kind of organized carpooling with strangers in order to utilize the HOV lanes. Map of Slugging Sites in Washington DC

Pentagon is basically the BEST job location for commutability from any Northern VA location.

I would look at Reston and Burke as your best options, but you also could go to areas of Loudoun and Prince William and increase your chances of finding a larger place for your money.

[OrangeFish]

Originally Posted by hilsmom

Pentagon is basically the BEST job location for commutability from any Northern VA location.

Absolutely agree. Commuting to the Pentagon is SO much easier than commuting to many (most?) portions of D.C. from northern Virginia.